Lior Sternfeld, a US-based Israeli academic, claims to have met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at an interfaith dialogue in New York. Despite being Israeli, Sternfeld's invitation was not canceled, and he even gave the president a copy of his book. The meeting was attended by rabbis, Muslim and Christian representatives, as well as members of the anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta. Sternfeld stated that Iran wants to play a mediating role in the issue of hostages held by Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. He also claimed that Pezeshkian said Iran would not carry the flag of the Palestinian struggle if Israel and the Palestinians reach an acceptable agreement.